Lasell Men’s Lacrosse Tops 100-Win Mark in Program History

Newton, MA – When the Lasell College men's lacrosse program defeated Nichols College, 10-7 on March 3^rd it meant they opened their 2012 season with a victory. Of greater note, the victory also marked the 100^th win in the history of the men's lacrosse program at Lasell.

When asked what that 100^th victory means for the program head coach Tim Dunton said, "It means that we have been able to have a little success over the last few years.  I think that it's a nice accomplishment, but I hope that the next 100 come a lot quicker than the first 100 did."

Dunton, now in his tenth year as the head coach at Lasell, has been a part of 11 of the 14 teams at Lasell. He served as an assistant for the 2002 season before taking over as the head coach before the 2003 season. In 2005, Dunton led the men's lacrosse program a 10-6 record and the second of the four ECAC appearances in the program's history, earning Pilgrim League Coach of the Year honors.

"Since my first year until now, the quality of the lacrosse player has improved.  We've had the luxury of having some very talented players over the years, but I feel the depth of our talent goes a lot deeper nowadays.  We've made a strong push in recruiting and have been successful bringing in the type of player that works well in our system." Dunton added.

Lasell has had 31 players named to All-Conference teams, 24 during a nine-year stretch as members of the Pilgrim League, and seven more last season in the program's first year as members of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.  

Coach Dunton looks at last year's move to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference as one that will pay dividends for the men's lacrosse program at Lasell.

"With the move to the GNAC it benefits our program to be able to fight for the ability to play in an NCAA tournament every year.  The change over from the Pilgrim League allowed us to move out from under the shadow of Springfield College and be able to be one of the top teams in our league.  It comes with losing some very good programs on the schedule every year, but we have been able to challenge ourselves in our non league schedule every year."

While the accomplishment certainly means something to Dunton, he's more focused on what lies ahead for the Lasers program.

"I'd like to see the lacrosse program get to the NCAA tournament consistently.  We have a great group of players here at Lasell, and with the benefit of playing in an NCAA tournament, it will allow us to have the ability to attract a higher caliber lacrosse player.  I'm pleased with the progress of this program, but we are not satisfied with our accomplishments, we have goals that we still have yet to reach."

The 2012 season is the 14^th year that Lasell has been sponsoring men's lacrosse. Institutionally, Lasell began admitting men beginning with the 1998-99 academic year and the men's lacrosse program was one of the four sports that were offered to men in the first year of co-education.

Kevin Tyska was the program's first head coach, and spent two seasons (1999-2000) at Lasell before moving on to become an assistant lacrosse coach at Boston College. Tyska was followed by Jon Gorgone, who led the Lasers lacrosse program for two years (2001-02) before Tim Dunton took over beginning in 2003.